Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Obey What You Know!

I'm sure most of you will agree that one of the most difficult subjects that we have to learn in school is math. Sure, things start out easy--after all, 1+1 always equals 2--but what about advanced mathematics like statistics and calculus? These classes prove to be much more challenging! It's a good thing we are provided formulas and equations developed by early mathematicians to make solving problems easier. But, what if even though we know all the formulas and equations, we don't put them into practice and decide to not use them? Surely we would fail the class! Right!?

The same holds true for our daily walk with Christ! We have been given the Bible, which was written by God through early Christ-followers to help us deal with and solve the problems of this world. Yet, even if we have an absolute understanding of it, if we don't put what we know into practice, our walk with Christ will not benefit! In Romans 2:13, Paul tells the Christians in Rome that knowledge without action upon that knowledge will not bring God's approval: "For it is not merely knowing the law that brings God's approval. Those who obey the law will be declared right in God's sight."

While knowledge of Biblical text is definitely important in your walk with Christ (Paul reminds us to be prepared at all times in 2 Timothy 4:2), like not using the formulas and equations in our math class would not bring approval from our teacher, knowing everything about the Bible and not obeying what it says will not bring approval from God--the ultimate teacher!

There are times in my life where I struggle to put God's commands into practice. Sometimes it seems life would be easier if I could do things my own way. However, going through life without obeying and applying the knowledge I gain from reading the Bible will not bring me closer to the Lord. That would be as silly as trying to solve an advanced mathematical problem without using the formulas I've learned! The reality is God's word is always right; therefore, without applying it to our lives, we cannot truly be whole and spiritually mature.

Do you sometimes find yourself ignoring the instructions given to you from the Bible? Do you take pride in all your knowledge of God's word yet you don't act upon it? If so, pray to God asking Him to help you with this struggle. Don't just skim over the words you read in the Bible, pay close attention to them and then obey them. Continue to dig deep into God's word to gain knowledge of His will for our lives as Christians and then obey what it says; for that is truly what makes us right in God's sight.